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If it's a dual-income household, I think it's getting into the lower part of the upper middle class. If it's a single income, I think it's getting into the higher upper middle. I'm just basing this on the national median income being $44k.
My question is, If rent is 4K a month and that is on the low end how are so many poor people living in NYC. And 170 K a year even in Houston you could like a minor king. And are you saying that teachers and police officers and fireman in NYC make at least 170 K a year ? And one more question, Why does it cost so much to live in NYC?
Well.... I make far more than the minimum wage. I'm getting the F out of here because it is too GD expensive here. (Use of profanity for emphasis).
The further away you live from the City, the cheaper the rent. Also, my cousin lived in an $5K/month apartment with two or three other girls. Her room wasn't any bigger than my closet. I am not exaggerating.
If you were single, sure, but with $170K/year you'd probably live in nice diggs, which doesnt' come cheap. If you were a family of 5 with a mortgage payment, I'd say you'd live comfortably. It's all about perspective.
NYC cops make a LOT of money. I don't know how much but it's definitely more than the average joe. I doubt they get paid enough to support a family AND live within Manhattan though. My BIL (chef) and his wife (teacher) lived about 1.5 hours away from the city and had to commute every day into Manhattan. That's a 3hour commute, daily. They did not live there long and moved back south.
If you've ever been to NYC, you'll understand why. Too many people and not enough land.
In my opinion, if you have to work for your money, your still working class. When you have enough money that the money works for you (as in it earns enough interest that you don't have to work) thats when you call yourself rich.
That's base salary though, right? I'm sure they work a ton of OT. I guess I was misinformed or perhaps the pay increases significantly with experience. Yeah, I hear about the PA commute ... I can't believe it!
That's base salary though, right? I'm sure they work a ton of OT. I guess I was misinformed or perhaps the pay increases significantly with experience. Yeah, I hear about the PA commute ... I can't believe it!
It's the base salary, without OT. But then if you are working a ton of OT on a $30K base, you have to work a whole lot of hours to have a decent income.
The salary steps rise pretty rapidly though. But remember, the NY Metro, a 3 bedroom house in a mediocre neighborhood is going to cost you 1/2 million.
I agree - $170k is definitely mid-upper middle class. But that's only if it's an individual. If it's two people, then I consider that middle class.
To me, one would have to have a personal income of over $200k to be considered upper-upper middle class. But a family with a combined income of $200k would not.
However, if that family had a combined income of $300k or more, I'd say they were upper-upper middle class.
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